2012 Chevrolet Traverse Ownership Costs

Ownership Summary

Over 5 years this car costs 10.98% less to own than similar vehicles.

5 Year Ownership Cost Breakdown

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

5 YEAR TOTAL

Maintenance

Services performed generally at manufacturer's suggested intervals where stated. Other services done at selected intervals. Cost per service is based upon industry-standard service times and national labor rate averages. Parts prices are based on manufacturer's suggested list price where available.

$496

$992

$694

$810

$1,404

$4,396

Repairs

Based on extended service contracts that will pay for repairs for 7 years or 100,000 miles with zero deductible. Service contract pricing is adjusted down for expected age and mileage of vehicle, reasonable profit and a longer than standard manufacturer warranty.

$103

$224

$247

$539

$585

$1,698

Fuel

U.S. Government EPA mileage figures. Mileage is 60% highway driving, 40% city. Fuel cost per gallon is $3.61 for unleaded regular, $3.79 for unleaded mid-grade, $3.95 for premium, and $3.92 for diesel (subject to inflation of 1.60%). (Based on Energy Information Administration U.S. 6-month average self-service regular, mid-grade and premium gasoline and diesel prices.)

$2,582

$2,623

$2,665

$2,708

$2,751

$13,329

Depreciation

Based on the assumption that you keep your vehicle for 5 years, after which time you sell it in a private party transaction (not sold to a dealer). Also assumes that the vehicle is in good condition with 98,000 miles (14,000 miles per year).

$1,830

$1,887

$1,819

$1,780

$1,648

$8,964

Financing

Assumes 10% down payment on a 60-month loan and an annual interest rate of 4.83%

$793

$632

$464

$289

$104

$2,282

Insurance

Due to the extremely varying nature of insurance costs, the figures listed in this report are estimates for comparative purposes. We assume the following:

principal operator is under age 65;

all drivers have more than six years experience with no chargeable accidents;

vehicle is for personal use;

lives in a suburban/urban community, with:

Collision:$500 Deductible

Comprehensive:$500 Deductible

Medical:$25,000

Property:$50,000

Personal liability:$100,000/$300,000

Uninsured driver:$25,000/$50,000

$1,197

$1,197

$1,197

$1,197

$1,197

$5,985

State Fees

State Fees includes title and registration fees and are based on a sales weighted average for all states. Registration fees vary depending on the weight, price, and class of the vehicle.

$110

$75

$74

$69

$70

$398

Yearly Totals

This is the total cost of ownership for this vehicle over 5-years and 70,000-miles.

Ownership costs are the costs to purchase and operate a vehicle over a period of time. Understanding these costs may enable you to save money and help you make a wiser decision when choosing your next new car.

Regardless of the “value” claims that you may read in car reviews or hear in advertisements, the economic value of a car is based on how much it will cost to own and operate compared to its purchase price. In a sense, purchase price is “what you pay” and the ownership costs are “what you get.”

Ownership costs can differ greatly. The cost to own and operate two different vehicles with equal purchase prices can differ by thousands. Of course when evaluating ownership cost for used cars and trucks, a vehicle's condition and mileage will greatly impact ownership costs, therefore it's important to compare similar vehicles in similar condition for an accurate picture.

Basic Warranty: The basic warranty covers everything except items that are subject to wear and tear or replacement in the ordinary course of vehicle ownership, such as oil and air filters, wiper blades and brake pads. Tires and batteries are often excluded, but usually have their own warranty provided by the manufacturers of those items. Emissions equipment is required by Federal law to be covered for five years or 50,000 miles.

Drive Train Warranty: In some cases the drive train warranty continues after the basic warranty has expired. This part of the warranty covers most of the parts that make the vehicle move, including the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft. Like the basic warranty, consumable parts such as hoses and belts are not covered. However, most of the internal parts of the engine, such as the pistons and bearings, which are also subject to wear and tear, are covered by the drive train warranty.

Roadside Assistance: Many manufacturers provide a service that will rescue you if your car leaves you stranded, even if it's your fault. Lock yourself our of your car? Run out of gas? Got a flat tire? A call to the manufacturer's toll-free number will result in somebody showing up who can help you out. There is a huge variance in these programs so check ahead of time to see what is covered and what you will have to pay for.

Rust or Corrosion Warranty: Rust or Corrosion Warranty: This warranty covers the vehicle's sheet metal, and protects you from rust and corrosion that are severe enough to cause a hole - surface rust is not covered. However, if you keep your car washed and waxed rust shouldn't be a problem.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to February 29, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequences:

If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy:

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequences:

Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy:

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequences:

IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequences:

If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy:

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.